Hello Friends!
Welcome back to our Encouraging Concepts Bible study series focused on the powerfully PROPHETIC picture portrayed in the Old Testament book of Daniel painted as a panoramic landscape of World History in FIVE successions “written” in ardent ADVANCE some 2,600 years ago… “The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE!”
The Book of Daniel: Prophecy PAST, PRESENT & FUTURE (Chapter 12: Verses 9-10)
9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand – Daniel 12:9-10
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: As “we” have “diligently” discussed in this serious “study” series, “Daniel” definitely did NOT completely comprehend this powerfully PROPHETIC exchange he had “heard” heralded thus far. Therefore, he yet AGAIN consults with “Gabriel” for further clarification concerning the eerie “end of these things” that were to confidently come in the trying “time appointed” by our great “God of heaven” Himself:
And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things? – Daniel 12:8
“And” as the devoted “Daniel” had wholly “heard” these woeful words of WARNING warranted, he had NOT completely “understood” all of “these things” pertaining to the “end” of his pride-filled pious “people” to come. WHY? Because “Daniel” himself was NOT given the starting point nor the ending point of this powerful PROPHECY proclaimed. Therefore, he humbly PLEADS for a clear clarification of exactly “what” would Sovereignly “be” determined – Israel INDICTED!
HISTORICAL HINTS: Eventually, the “holy people” of national “Israel” would Sovereignly become “scattered” seed tactfully tossed throughout the entire “earth” to completely CONCLUDE this perfect PROPHECY promised. Therefore, this horrible HISTORICAL herald would be faithfully FULFILLED when insolent “Israel” was solemnly “scattered” abroad in the yielded year – 70 A.D.
Sovereignly Sealed!
“And” now the diligent “Daniel” is told yet AGAIN by the angelic assistant “Gabriel” that these “words” of this particular PROPHECY were to be “closed up and sealed” as rightly reserved until the “time of the end” had HISTORICALLY arrived:
And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end – Daniel 12:9
Here at this PROPHETIC point the devoted “Daniel” is spiritually encouraged to grandly “Go thy way” in his life “till” the horrible HISTORY of tumultuous – Time to COME!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: In the New Testament narrative, “Jesus Christ” Himself had personally promised His dully dazed “disciples” that this powerful PROPHECY given unto “Daniel” could be uniquely understood within the sufficient DETAILS dictated to intently illustrate as to exactly “when” this obvious “abomination of desolation” derision of the hallowed “holy place” perpetrated BY the pious “people” of insatiable “Israel” inferred…
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand:) – Matthew 24:15
And when ye shall see Jerusalem compassed with armies, then know that the desolation thereof is nigh – Luke 21:20
In fact, “Jesus Christ” also warned of these woeful “wars and rumours of wars” to be willed and dictated these dooming “days of vengeance” vindicated…
And when ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, be ye not troubled: for such things must needs be; but the end shall not be yet – Mark 13:7
For these be the days of vengeance, that all things which are written may be fulfilled – Luke 21:22
These “words” of weary WARNING were wonderfully “written” unto the dully DISOBEDIENT nation of insolent “Israel” and were indeed – Coming SOON!
The Wise & Wicked!
A great CONTRAST would exist between the waning “wise” and the willfully “wicked” workers. And sadly, these wondering “wise” would surely suffer immensely at the heinous HANDS of the willful “wicked” ignorant:
Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand – Daniel 12:10
HISTORICAL HINTS: The jaded “Jews” themselves had foolishly REJOICED in the dire defeat over the rule of Cestius Gallus and the Twelfth Legion in the year 66 A.D. And during the rank revolt realized in “Jerusalem” the jostled “Jewish” rebels had defeated the chided Civic leaders of the local Roman garrison gated within the military forces of King Agrippa himself. The report of this looming LOSS went up the chain of command directly unto Cestius Gallus the grand Governor of the Roman province of Syria upon whom fell the responsibility to rashly – Ransack Rank REBELLION!
In addition, the festering FALSE pragmatic "prophets” that had cooperated with these ravenous revolutionaries celebrated the Holy hand of “Heaven” in this SUDDEN and inexplicable retreat of the caustic Cestius Gallus of whom was on the verge of taking the captive “city” in full. In fact, his wonderful withdrawal must also have RECALLED to mind the magnificent miraculous success of the Maccabean might set AGAINST the previous "ruler" of northern Syria in the pass of Beth-Horon within the very site of Judah Maccabee's dire decisive DEFEAT of sordid – Syria Surmised!
It was in Beth-Horon where some of the most MIRACULOUS victories were vividly vindicated throughout the “Jewish” halls of heralded HISTORY and was indeed a choice place to confidently confront the coming Cestius Gallus of corrupt intentions. This incident incited was surely GUIDED by the keen “knowledge” of the engagement ensued EARLIER as a Heaven-sent victory vindicated through the Hasmonean Dynasty. And quite possibly MANY of these “Judaean” commanders considered themselves as the NEXT manifested – Mighty Maccabee!
To these wantonly “wicked” self-justified “Jews” juxtaposed, the drastic DEFEAT of an entire ranking Roman Legion no doubt certainly appeared to be a mighty MIRACLE mandated by “God” Himself. And as a real result, would definitely DISTRACT them from the horrors of the dire DESTRUCTION looming on the PROPHETIC horizon during the terrible “time of the end” proclaimed for “their” harshly heralded HISTORY encroaching quite rapidly upon the city of “Jerusalem” as purposely PROMISED in the year – 70 A.D.
Thus, the true born-again blood-bought “believer” birthed of “Jewish” descent within the New Testament era of the first-century early “church” conceived had rightly “understood” this predicted PROPHECY picture of insolent “Israel” indicted – PERFECTLY Prevailed!
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The constant CONFLICT constituted between the woe-filled “wise” and the wayward “wicked” provides HORRIBLE hindsight and the dire difference was Divine “understanding” unified…
For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews: Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men: Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost – 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16
Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used. For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise – Hebrews 10:33-36
There were “many” of whom were perfectly “purified” as the Sovereignly sent soundly “sanctified” and justly “justified” by the shed “blood” of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” through His eternal Atonement for our sordidly “sinful” situation…
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God – 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law – Acts 21:20
These FAITHFUL brave “brethren” of the “Jewish” jurisdiction within the chosen “church” body were totally “tried” with fierce “fiery trials” of personal PERSECUTION purposed due to their firm “faith” firmly fostered through “Jesus Christ” incited…
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ – 1 Peter 1:7
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified – 1 Peter 4:12-14
As a rank RESULT realized, the unified unbelieving jaundice “Jews” had rigorously raised enormous PERSECUTIONS against the Sovereignly sent “saints of God” starting within “Jerusalem” just as HISTORICALLY heralded…
Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) – Acts 12:1-3
And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him – Acts 22:17-20
And thus many of them were “killed” for the cause of our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” Himself as they became – Mandated MARTYRS!
Woeful WICKED Work ~ Christ’s CRUCIFIXION Coerced!
By rankly rejecting the words of WARNING spoken by our “Lord Jesus Christ” and the “Apostles” into their superstitious speculation in that “God” would somehow SAVE them regardless of these “wicked hands” that had “crucified and slain” their Magnificent “Messiah” Himself – Righteous REJECTION!
“And” when the “wicked shall do wickedly” there was a PARTICULAR practice of “wickedness” being exposed as such…
And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate. And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: and the people of the prince that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined – Daniel 9:26-27
Thus, the corrupt CRUCIFIXION of our “Lord Jesus Christ” the mandated Messiah Himself was indeed the dire “doing” dictated. This appalling act of treason against the great “God of heaven” was coarsely COMMITTED by insolent “Israel” indicted quite “wickedly” as personally proclaimed via the Old Testament unto “Daniel” and the New Testament through the “Apostles” in kind…
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it – Acts 2:22-24
And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses – Acts 3:12-15
Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole – Acts 4:10
Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins – Acts 5:28-31
Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth – Acts 7:51-54
Also, the distinct difference derived BETWEEN the wonderfully “wise” and the wincingly “wicked” within the chosen “church” coming would be a Divinely distributed unique “understanding” sent directly from on High…
But as it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they that have not heard shall understand – Romans 15:21
But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God – 1 Corinthians 2:7-10
And not as Moses, which put a
veil over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to
the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until
this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old
testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when
Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart – 2
Corinthians 3:13-15
But if our gospel be hid, it is
hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds
of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who
is the image of God, should shine unto them – 2
Corinthians 4:3-4
That the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of him: The eyes of your understanding being
enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the
riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints – Ephesians
1:17-18
And I thank Christ Jesus our
Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the
ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I
obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our
Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus – 1Timothy
1:12-14
And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life – 1 John 5:19-20
Therefore, “God” Himself had righteously REVEALED the tangible “things” thoroughly concerning the saving “gospel” eternal PROMISES provided unto “babes” of whom have been Spiritually regenerated – Born Again!
PROPHETIC PROMISE: These “words” of woeful WARNING concerning the coming DESTRUCTION of jaded “Jerusalem” were indeed PROPHETICALLY proclaimed repeatedly and preached publicly for a total of forty years yielded. However, it was ONLY the wonderfully “wise” diligent “disciples” that were personally “called” by our “Lord Jesus Christ” of whom ultimately “understood” these “things” thoroughly and the “wicked” waning “Jews” at this terrible “time” touted in the halls of HISTORY were completely DEVASTATED in the year – 70 A.D.
For Further Personal Study:
The short & reliable HISTORY concerning the Campaign of Cestius Gallus and the Defeat of the Twelfth Legion during the month of July in the year 66 A.D. is outlined here:
Cestius Gallus: Dire Defeat Dictated ~ http://www.josephus.org/warChronology2.htm
We
are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't
yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus
Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
If you have been blessed by this message or have a specific question, prayer request or testimony, please send me a note to: encouragingconcepts@live.com
I love hearing from you. Keep reading Encouraging Concepts!
Shane K. Morin <><
"Living Life From a Biblical Worldview"
